Death At Inishmore Castle: A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 3 by Lucy Connelly

(Thank you Bookouture for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

A grand castle, a glass of Irish whiskey, a good book by the fire… and a rather mysterious murder?

Historic Inishmore Castle is opening its doors for the first time, hosting a charming weekend of whiskey tasting and soda bread baking. Sisters Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are badly in need of a break, but their relaxing trip takes a decidedly unrestful turn when Mercy finds fellow guest Father Brennen slumped over the desk in the library… Did he have one glass too many or did someone want him dead? 

Even more curiously, Mercy swiftly learns that the priest was no priest at all. So why was he searching through dusty old journals? Can the legend of Inishmore’s lost treasure possibly be true?

Mercy’s suspicions of foul play are confirmed when another of their party is found drowned in the lake at the edge of the manor’s estate. It can’t be a coincidence! Someone in this idyllic Irish castle is up to no good and Mercy is determined to find out who’s behind it, accompanied by her reluctant fellow sleuth and beloved dog Mr. Poe.

With a host of frightened guests and worried staff, and a storm closing in, Mercy soon has more suspects than bedrooms in the castle. Could it be the unconvincing nun, the busybody birdwatcher, or are the owners hiding something sinister? When Mercy realises there are secret passages in the walls, she thinks she might have cracked the case… but will she track the killer down, or will Inishmore be her resting place forever more? 

A completely delightful Irish cozy mystery, full of warmth and wit. Fans of Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor and Faith Martin will love Mercy McCarthy! 

my thoughts:

Love, love, love! I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and Lucy Connelly's A Mercy McCarthy Mystery series is one of my favorites. So, you can imagine my joy when I received the third book - Death At Inishmore Castle. Hurrah! Another fantastic story to get wrapped up in - murder, mystery, Ireland, and the McCarthy sisters - what more could I want? 

This time round, Mercy and Lizzie, along with a few of their neighbors from Shamrock Cove head to nearby Inishmore Castle for a whiskey tasting weekend. The two sisters are in need of a break and have plans to relax, relax, relax. Except, that their idea of a fun getaway takes a turn when a dead body is found in the library. Yep, murder has arrived at Inishmore Castle and it looks like Mercy is on the case. Especially as another body is found in the lake. Yikes! An old castle, stormy weather, and bodies piling up - talk about a weekend gone wrong. And that's all I'll share about this captivating mystery - it's one you won't want to miss out on. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! 

I'm happy to recommend Connelly's wonderful series - A Mercy McCarthy Mystery. The stories are so much fun to read. The characters are a treat to get to know. Ireland is the perfect setting to fall in love with. And, the whodunits are such great mysteries to solve. All in all, this series is top notch and not to be missed!

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book!

Death By The Book: A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 2 by Lucy Connelly

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Irish scones, shamrock shortbread, a local literary festival… and a rather dead author? Join Mercy McCarthy on her next case! 

Mercy and Lizzie McCarthy are settling in to the charming seaside village of Shamrock Cove on the west coast of Ireland. Lizzie throws herself into organizing a book festival and mystery writer Mercy even agrees to come out of her bookish hidey-hole to get involved. But then the star author for the event is found dead. James Brandt was killed by a falling bookshelf in his own cottage… 

The local detective is not convinced by Mercy’s suspicion of murder but when someone else turns up dead, the police cannot ignore it. There’s just one problem: Mercy and Lizzie’s beloved dog Mr. Poe sniffs out the second body in the storeroom of their own bookstore. And now all of the gossips seem determined to pin the murder on Mercy!

Convinced the police are focusing on a red herring in this real-life case, Mercy needs to act fast to clear her name. A meddling mayor, a cheerful chef and a bashful botanist make her suspect list, but it’s not until Mercy discovers a tatty old photograph in the local library archive that she is onto the killer’s trail.

With the police keen to shut her out of the murder investigation, can Mercy play this case by the book, or will she be the next to fall off the shelf…? 

A totally gripping and twisty cozy crime novel, perfect for readers who love Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor or Faith Martin! This incredibly fast-paced and fun murder mystery will whisk you off to Ireland and won’t let you go until the final page! 

my thoughts:

I am LOVING the Mercy McCarthy Mystery series to bits! Written by Lucy Connelly, Death By The Book, is the second book in her popular cozy mystery series and it is FANTASTIC! The writing is top notch, the characters are familiar and unforgettable, and the story itself is unputdownable. I am hooked on these stories and can't wait for the next book in the series. They are just so much fun to read. Make sure to grab a copy ASAP - you are going to fall in deep with this story and the series. 

Set in Ireland, we get to armchair travel to the beautiful seaside village of Shamrock Cove. Mercy and her twin sister, Lizzie, are adjusting to village life and settling in to their new surroundings. The town's annual literary festival is in full planning mode and Lizzie has thrown herself her and her bookshop into it all. Plus, Mercy, has decided to join in as a panelist and one of the authors - she's a famous mystery writer with a looming deadline. Of course, nothing goes as planned when the headlining author is found dead in his cottage thanks to a falling bookshelf. Whoa! Talk about a bookish nightmare. Except, Mercy is convinced the author was killed and that it wasn't an accident. The police don't agree with Mercy until another her body is found. The only problem is that all eyes are on Mercy as the culprit - Yikes! So, what's a mystery writer to do...sleuth it up and solve the murders FAST! 

Connelly has created something special with, A Mercy McCarthy Mystery series, and I am here for it. I am really enjoying getting to know Mercy and Lizzie (even more), along with the townsfolk of Shamrock Cove. And, Ireland is just so gorgeous, that getting to read about it makes for a fun time. Plus, the mystery itself is always full of shocking twists and turns, which makes the story thrilling and exciting. I love getting caught up in the drama and sleuthing - makes me eager to finger out whodunit before the big reveal. This series is truly a treat to read. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

An Irish Bookshop Murder: A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book 1 by Lucy Connelly

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

An utterly gripping cozy crime murder mystery

Meet Ireland’s newest daring she’s a bookstore owner, a coffee lover, and a crime writer. Now Mercy McCarthy needs a little Irish luck as she takes on her first case! 

After receiving unexpected inheritance from her grandfather, Mercy and her twin sister Lizzie are now the proud owners of a charming antique bookshop in the tiny Irish village of Shamrock Cove. But before they can take in the beautiful view of the sea, one of their neighbors drops dead! 

Mercy finds the Judge, a well-respected man who lives next door, dying on his own doorstep. She rushes to help, but with his final words, he accuses Mercy of murder! Most of their new neighbors hear his words and, with suspicion pointing at Mercy, she decides to investigate the case to clear her name.

Searching amongst the Judge’s old books, Mercy uncovers letters proving several of the townsfolk had reason to dislike the judge—but was it the local pub landlord, the kindly cook or neighborly knitter who killed him? 

Then Mercy’s chief suspect turns up dead and she receives a threatening note, typed on paper from her own bookstore… Ireland was supposed to be a fresh start for Mercy and Lizzie, but dead bodies keep turning up.

Does Mercy have what it takes to nail the culprit or will the killer close the book on her time in this charming Irish village?

my thoughts:

Love, love, loved the first book, An Irish Bookshop Murder, in the new series, A Mercy McCarthy Mystery Book by Lucy Connelly. It reminded me of a Hallmark Mystery movie, which I LOVED - those are some of my favorites! This book was a cozy mystery through and through, which is my favorite genre lately. We have twin sisters Mercy and Lizzie - Mercy writes mystery novels and Lizzie runs a lavender ranch. Both have just had their lives upended. So, upon inheriting a cottage and antique bookshop from their grandfather, the sisters find themselves eager for a fresh start. Relocating to Shamrock Cove, Ireland is just the ticket. They soon find themselves in a beautiful new place being welcomed by their grandfather's friends and neighbors. Life is looking up for both sisters until the Judge, their ornery neighbor dies on his front porch. Unfortunately, right before he dies he accuses Mercy of murder. Say what? Yep, Mercy is now involved in quite the conundrum. Being a mystery writer, she is determined to solve the Judge's murder and his suspicions of her. The only question is, will she be able to clear her name and figure out who is the murder before her and Lizzie get hurt, or worse? Yikes! And, woo hoo! This book was such a treat to read! I really enjoyed getting to know Mercy and Lizzie, along with their new neighbors and friends. Plus, trying to figure out whodunnit was such a fun puzzle. Connelly has created a terrific new series that I can't wait to read more of. 

I would happily recommend An Irish Bookshop Murder to anyone and everyone looking for a new cozy mystery to fall in love with - you are going to devour this first book with gusto! It is perfect for the upcoming fall season - snuggled up with a cuppa and this book, you won't want for anything else. Well, maybe a sweet treat. Seriously though, you are going to really enjoy Connelly's writing, characters, and mystery - they all come together to make an amazing story that you won't be able to put down until you turn that last page.  Make sure to check out An Irish Bookshop Murder ASAP! I know I can't wait to get my hands on book 2. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!